The Gravedigger's Brawl by Abigail Roux

face and closed his eyes. “I’m a complete bastard, you know?”
    â€œWow, news flash.” Noah swiped at some dust as he sat in the only empty chair in the room. Everything else was stacked high with books and frames Wyatt had never gotten around to putting back up after the office had been painted over the summer. The Thurston poster was the only thing he’d hung.
    Noah furrowed his brow as he studied Wyatt. “Wanna talk about it?”
    Wyatt stared at the poster over Noah’s shoulder and shook his head. He had liked Ash, really liked him. How trivial his reasons for leaving seemed now.
    â€œWell. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
    Wyatt thumped his head on the back of his chair. “Yeah, hiding from the trustees in the basement like all the rest of us.”
    â€œThat’s why I dropped by. They’re all here. They’re on the prowl this morning.”
    â€œOh, fuck me.” Wyatt stood and looked helplessly around the office. “I’ve got to come up with something or they’re going to have my head.”
    â€œWyatt, calm down. Look, why don’t you take a sick day, go home, spend some time relaxing. Maybe something will hit you when you’re not expecting it.”
    â€œI’m not so sure that will help.”
    â€œNeither is sitting in here brooding. What’s up with you, anyway?”
    Wyatt shook his head stubbornly.
    Noah huffed. “Fine, don’t talk to your best friend. Hey, I never asked you what happened with you and Ash. Did you hit it off?”
    Wyatt stared at him. He would have to tell him or drown in the guilt. “Yeah,” he said. “Yeah, we got along okay.”
    â€œThink you’ll see him again?”
    He swallowed against the tightening in his throat. The hell of it was that he really did like Ash. He’d just panicked over the oddity of what had happened—and ruined any chance of something more.
    â€œI doubt it,” he said. Noah frowned and gave him a questioning look. “I mean, I liked him and all, but . . . Noah, he’s not really the type of guy I usually—”
    â€œWyatt, you don’t usually anyone. Give him a chance!”
    Wyatt held up a hand. “Just drop it, all right?”
    Noah stared at him for a stunned moment, and then nodded. “Sorry.”
    They sat in awkward silence for another long moment. Finally, Noah stood and stepped toward the door. He was still looking at Wyatt when he put his hand on the doorknob.
    â€œThink about some time off, huh? It’s not the end of the world if you can’t get this exhibition rolling. Even if they fire you, you can always turn to making porn.”
    Wyatt laughed despite himself. He waited until Noah was almost out the door before calling to him. “Thanks,” he said when Noah turned back. “And I’m sorry for being a prick.”
    â€œThat’s okay. We’re all used to it by now.”
    Wyatt realized as the door shut that he hadn’t even bothered to ask Noah what had happened between him and Caleb Biron.
    He stood stock still in the middle of the office, frowning. He wasn’t used to being an asshole. He wasn’t used to feeling guilty. He wasn’t used to looking his friends in the eye and wondering if they’d found out what he’d done. He didn’t want to keep feeling like this.
    He grabbed his jacket and slid into it as he made for the door.
    â€œI’m heading out,” he told his assistant as he walked through the office. “Back soon,” he said over his shoulder before she could question him.
    When he stepped through the door, he saw Edgar Reth stalking down the hallway, followed by Emelda Ramsay and Stuart Lincoln, another of the trustees who might as well have been on his knees for Reth at all hours of the day.
    Reth jutted his chin out. “Dr. Case.”
    Wyatt had to work hard not to groan. “Mr. Reth,” he